A sportswear firm has overcome a “disastrous” year by selling to universities and schools online.

Teamwear specialists Premier Sports and Leisure, which started in Woodingdean, has had a tough few years after the recession hit.

But after an upturn in sales of 10% in 2013 the firm is looking forward to a promising 2014.

Marketing manager Paul Cartwright said: “2012 was a disaster to be honest and ours was one of many in our sector to be hit by the recession.

“Local sports clubs struggled to attract sponsorship from local businesses and we took a long hard look at how we were operating and the direction it needed to take.”

The change came with a focus on a new type of client for the company which was formed more than 15 years ago.

Paul said: “We had been supplying some schools and universities with a bit of their kit and realised that with the excellent brand offering we had, this was a market we could grow.

“Online sales doubled last year and we see that only increasing through our new partnership with Nike.”

The firm developed webshops for larger customers, enabling students and parents to buy their clothing direct rather than through a shop on campus or in the school premises.

The company has just started working with Nike on a project aimed at FA Charter Standard grassroots football clubs.

The Nike Partner Club scheme will see clubs such as Steyning Strikers benefiting from coaching grants, online shops and the delivery of co-ordinated training and match day clothing.

Paul, who has seen the company grow from a single Woodingdean showroom to a global kit supplier, added: “We have signed up around five clubs in Sussex and Surrey for the new scheme after working with a club in London on the initial pilot scheme.

“Add to that we are also the official retail partner for the Sussex County FA and there will be some exciting developments here over the coming months.”